KAIST South Korea Scholarships 2027 (Fully Funded)

The KAIST South Korea Scholarships 2027 are fully funded awards from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in South Korea for international students entering Master's, Master's-PhD Integrated and PhD programmes. The KAIST Scholarship covers full tuition, a monthly living stipend and National Health Insurance for successful graduate students.

It is open to international applicants across KAIST's science and engineering fields, with KGPS funding of up to KRW 1,000,000 per month for selected students. Applications go through the KAIST International Graduate Admission portal. The full details on eligibility, benefits and key dates are set out below.

The KAIST Scholarship for international students provides significant financial assistance to successful graduate students.

Major benefits can include:

Full Tuition Support

The KAIST Scholarship provides full tuition support, helping students reduce one of the largest costs associated with studying abroad.

Monthly Living Stipend

Graduate students can receive a monthly stipend, although the amount under the standard KAIST Scholarship can vary according to the college, laboratory and research funding arrangement.

Health Insurance

The scholarship support includes National Health Insurance, helping eligible students manage healthcare costs during their studies in South Korea.

KGPS Funding

Eligible Master’s and MS-PhD applicants may also be considered for the KAIST Graduate Scholarship for International Students (KGPS).

Selected students can receive up to KRW 1,000,000 per month for four regular semesters, in addition to full tuition support.

KPS Funding

Selected PhD and MS-PhD students may qualify for the KAIST PhD Scholarship (KPS), which provides KRW 300,000 per month for up to eight regular semesters, alongside full tuition support.

Applicants selecting the KAIST Scholarship are automatically considered for KGPS or KPS where applicable, meaning a separate application is normally not required for these awards.

Do You Need a Professor's Acceptance Before Applying?

A professor's acceptance is not universally required for every KAIST international graduate applicant.

However, contacting professors can be useful, particularly for applicants applying to research-intensive Master’s and PhD programmes.

Students should research faculty members whose work closely matches their proposed research interests. A strong research match can help demonstrate that the applicant understands the laboratory and department they are applying to.

However, applicants should not assume that obtaining a professor's interest automatically compensates for weak academic performance. Final admission decisions involve institutional and departmental evaluation.

Some departments may have their own expectations regarding supervisor contact, interviews or research fit, so applicants should check the requirements of their chosen programme.

The KAIST scholarships for international students are available for three main graduate degree routes.

1. KAIST Master’s Scholarship

Students who have completed or will complete a Bachelor’s degree can apply for a Master’s programme. This option is suitable for students who want to obtain a postgraduate qualification before deciding whether to continue toward doctoral research.

2. KAIST Master’s-PhD Integrated Programme

The KAIST MS-PhD Integrated programme allows students with a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification to enter a combined postgraduate research pathway.

This route can be particularly suitable for applicants who already know that they want to pursue doctoral-level research.

3. KAIST PhD Scholarship

Applicants who already hold or will obtain a Master’s-equivalent qualification can apply for a KAIST PhD programme.

PhD applicants should pay particular attention to research interests, faculty compatibility, academic preparation and the requirements of their selected department.

KAIST is primarily known for science, technology and research, but international graduate students can choose from a broad range of academic disciplines.

Available areas include:

• Computer Science

• Artificial Intelligence

• Electrical Engineering

• Mechanical Engineering

• Aerospace Engineering

• Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

• Materials Science and Engineering

• Industrial Engineering

• Physics

• Chemistry

• Mathematics

• Biological Sciences

• Life Science and Bioengineering

• Nuclear and Quantum Engineering

• Business

• Technology Management

• Liberal Arts and Convergence Science

• Other interdisciplinary research fields

The university organizes graduate education across areas including Natural Sciences, Life Science and Bioengineering, Engineering, Liberal Arts and Convergence Science, and Business.

Applicants should remember that not every programme necessarily accepts students during every admission round. Therefore, candidates should check whether their intended department is participating in the Spring 2027 admission cycle.

The KAIST scholarships 2027 are open to eligible international applicants.

Students from countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and other regions may apply if they satisfy KAIST's international graduate admission requirements.

Applicants from countries such as Pakistan, India, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Singapore, the Philippines and South Africa may also be eligible for certain English proficiency exemptions when they satisfy KAIST's specific conditions.

Nationality by itself, however, does not automatically waive the English-language requirement. Applicants must check whether their previous degree was completed in English at an institution located in an eligible country and provide the required evidence.

To apply for the KAIST South Korea Scholarships 2027, applicants should meet the academic and admission requirements for their chosen degree programme.

For Master’s Programmes

Applicants generally need:

• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification.

• An academic background relevant to the selected KAIST department.

• Required English proficiency or an approved exemption.

• The documents required by KAIST and the selected department.

• Eligibility for international graduate admission.

Students who are still completing their Bachelor’s degree may also apply if they can satisfy KAIST's degree completion requirements before enrollment.

For MS-PhD Integrated Programmes

Applicants generally need:

• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification.

• A suitable academic background for the selected research area.

• Required English proficiency or a valid exemption.

• Supporting academic and research documents.

• Eligibility for the selected department and admission cycle.

For PhD Programmes

Applicants generally need:

• A Master’s degree or equivalent qualification.

• Appropriate academic preparation for the proposed field.

• Required English proficiency or an approved exemption.

• Supporting academic and research documents.

• Any additional requirements specified by the department.

KAIST does not publish one universal CGPA cutoff applicable to every international graduate programme. Therefore, applicants should not assume that a particular GPA, such as 3.5/4.0, is an official minimum requirement.

Academic performance remains important, but research experience, publications, recommendations, academic preparation and research fit can also strengthen a competitive application.

English Language Requirements

International applicants normally need to demonstrate English proficiency unless they qualify for an exemption.

The requirements listed in the provided Spring 2027 information include:

• IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall

• TOEIC: 720

• TEPS: 326

• TOEFL iBT: 83 for tests taken before January 21, 2026, with KAIST applying its revised TOEFL scale for newer tests

KAIST accepts IELTS Online, while IELTS One Skill Retake is not accepted under the stated graduate admission rules. TOEFL MyBest scores are also not accepted.

Can Pakistani Students Apply Without IELTS?

Potentially, yes.

Pakistani applicants may request an English Proficiency Test exemption if they satisfy KAIST's exemption conditions. For example, applicants may qualify if they completed a Bachelor’s-equivalent or higher degree taught in English at an institution located in an eligible country.

Applicants may need to submit evidence such as an English-medium or English Lecture Certificate issued by their university.

Therefore, Pakistani students should not assume that IELTS is automatically waived simply because they are Pakistani. The exemption depends on the applicant's educational history and KAIST's specific rules.

Documents Required for KAIST Scholarship Application

Applicants should prepare the documents required by the KAIST International Graduate Admission system and their selected department.

Common documents and information may include:

• Online application

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree information

• Academic transcripts

• Passport or nationality documentation

• English proficiency test score or exemption evidence

• Recommendation materials

• Academic information

• Research-related information

• Department-specific documents, where applicable

Research-oriented programmes may request additional materials.

After admission, students may also need to provide formally verified academic documents through procedures such as Apostille or appropriate embassy/consular verification, depending on the country where the documents were issued.

How to Apply for KAIST Scholarships 2027

The application process for the KAIST South Korea Scholarship 2027 can be completed online.

Step 1: Select Your Degree

First, decide whether you want to apply for a Master’s, MS-PhD Integrated or PhD programme.

Step 2: Choose Your Department

Review the available KAIST graduate programmes and select a field that matches your academic background and career or research goals.

Step 3: Research Faculty Members

For research-based programmes, explore KAIST professors and laboratories working in your intended research area.

Step 4: Check English Requirements

Determine whether you need IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC or TEPS, or whether you qualify for an English proficiency exemption.

Step 5: Select the Scholarship

Choose the KAIST Scholarship when completing the application if you want to be considered for institutional financial support.

Eligible applicants may also be considered for KGPS or KPS.

Step 6: Complete the Online Application

Create an account on the KAIST International Graduate Admission portal, enter your personal and academic information, select your programme and upload the required documents.

Step 7: Submit Recommendations

Ensure that your recommendation materials are submitted before the application deadline. An application should not be considered complete while a required recommendation remains pending.

Step 8: Complete the Evaluation Process

KAIST departments evaluate applications based on factors such as academic background, research potential, programme fit and supporting materials. Some applicants may also be contacted for an interview or additional evaluation.

Step 9: Complete Post-Admission Requirements

If you receive an admission offer, follow KAIST's instructions for document verification, registration and the South Korean D-2 student visa process.

KAIST Scholarship Application Deadline 2027

The application deadline for the Spring 2027 KAIST International Graduate Admission is:

September 1, 2026

Applications opened on August 18, 2026.

Because the application period is short, students should prepare their transcripts, recommendation materials, English proficiency evidence and other documents before beginning the online application.

Applicants who miss the Spring 2027 deadline can also monitor future KAIST admission cycles. KAIST normally conducts international graduate admissions through Spring, Fall Early and Fall Regular rounds, although exact future dates and participating programmes should be confirmed from the official KAIST announcement.

Is KAIST Scholarship Fully Funded?

The KAIST Scholarship can provide a highly comprehensive funding package for international graduate students, including full tuition support, health insurance and a monthly stipend.

However, applicants should distinguish between the standard KAIST Scholarship and additional awards such as KGPS and KPS. The exact stipend available under the standard scholarship can vary according to the student's college, laboratory and funding arrangement.

KAIST reports that a large majority of its international graduate students receive financial support.

Why Should You Apply for KAIST Scholarships 2027?

The KAIST South Korea Scholarships 2027 are particularly attractive for students interested in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, artificial intelligence, life sciences and research-driven graduate education.

Instead of focusing only on the university's ranking, applicants should consider whether their academic background and research interests match the department and laboratories they are targeting.

For students seeking fully funded Master’s scholarships in South Korea, KAIST MS-PhD scholarships, or KAIST PhD scholarships for international students, the Spring 2027 admission cycle provides an important opportunity.